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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The Humane Society of Utah is offering a $5,000 reward for information about the possible poisoning of a family dog at the center of a legal battle over a judge’s order to put down the animal after it bit a teenager.

Dexter, a 5-year-old Australian Shepherd, is recovering from symptoms consistent with ingesting rat poison.

Owner Lindsy Bray of Santaquin said she filed a police report after the dog underwent three days of treatment by a vet who determined the likely cause of the symptoms.

Police are investigating whether the dog was poisoned and trying to obtain a treatment report, police Corporal Mike Wall said.

The Humane Society is also investigating what happened and if there’s any connection to the ongoing court case.

“I can’t let this go,” Bray said.

Bray is appealing the judge’s order to put Dexter down. The city regulation says any animal that has bitten, clawed, chased or harassed a person must be put down within five days.

The Humane Society cried foul, arguing the rules are so wide-ranging that a dog running with its owner could be considered a vicious animal and ordered euthanized.

“It puts the lives of dogs in the complete discretionary hands of the city with no standards,” said Craig Cook, the group’s president.

The City Council voted down the group’s push to change the rules in September, he said.

Santaquin City Manager Benjamin Reeves did not immediately return a message seeking comment.